Itaewon Disaster Families Mourn Firefighter's Death: "Government Must Help Heal Trauma"

"Previous Administration Responsible for Neglecting Trauma"
"Active Measures Needed Even Now"

Memorial messages and flowers are placed at the Itaewon disaster site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

After a firefighter who had suffered from depression and gone missing following his deployment to the Itaewon disaster site was found dead, an organization representing the families of the disaster victims called on the government to take active measures for trauma healing. They also pointed out that the previous administration bears significant responsibility for neglecting the issue.

On August 20, the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association and the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Citizens’ Countermeasures Committee issued a memorial statement, asserting, "Today's tragedy is largely due to the previous administration's failure to address and heal the psychological and emotional trauma suffered by all rescuers-including firefighters and police officers-who dedicated themselves to saving victims at the disaster site."

They further urged, "Even now, the government must take active measures to provide broad support for survivors, local merchants, residents, rescuers, and witnesses, and to help them heal and recover from their trauma."

Meanwhile, at around 12:30 p.m. on the same day, a police officer discovered firefighter A (age 30) dead under a bridge near the Geumi-dong section of the First Ring Expressway in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. It was reported that A’s body was already decomposed.

On August 10, A left a note apologizing to his family and friends before losing contact. At around 2:30 a.m. that day, he exited the Nam Incheon Tollgate, parked his car on the right shoulder, and disappeared. The last signal from his mobile phone was detected near an apartment complex in Seochang-dong, Namdong-gu. Since then, fire authorities and police had checked nearby CCTV footage and searched rivers and mountains in the area, but were unable to locate A until he was found ten days after his disappearance. It is known that A had been diagnosed with depression and was receiving treatment after assisting at the scene of the Itaewon disaster in 2022.